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Stiff shifting in gears 3-6

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Old 09-22-2016, 11:38 PM
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Stiff shifting in gears 3-6

Hello,


I'm new to the mini world and recently came across some issues with my MT transmission in my Countryman. I've done some research and found out some owners had similar issues with reverse and first gear. Its hard to describe du revers 1st and 2nd gear are fine but going into 3rd,4th 5th and 6th gear feels stiff, sort of like trying to stir up peanut butter sorry that's the best as I can describe it lol. Recently about 300 miles ago I had a shop replace and bleed brake fluid with Motul660 https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pr...20group%20%231
I'm leaning towards brake fluid or leaking slave.
One interesting fact I got from talking to the shop owner that bleed my brakes (ex BMW engineer) was that the transmission and the differential on the mini are "sealed for life" and no fluid replacement is necessary for at least 200k unless I want to do it at 100k. Any one heard of such info in regards to that?
 
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Old 09-23-2016, 05:07 AM
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yes it is supposedly sealed but thats only for the Company not to cover for repair and less headache. People are still inclined to replacing it since it is a simple procedure, at least for the manual tranny. Now back to your issue, I would guess three things, the first is your shifter cables, shifter box, gear selector (on the tranny where the cable connect). do a small test by popping the cables off of the joints of the gear selector and move it by hand and see if you feel any resistance. while the cables are disconnected, hop into the car and move the shifter through the gears (not connected but go through the motion) and see if you feel resistance anywhere. i dont think your brake fluid has anything to do with it.
 
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Old 09-23-2016, 09:06 AM
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So quite embarrassing to admit it but I figured I'll take the heat for anyone else who comes across the same issue. So besides the brake flud flush I replaces hot charge Alta hose going from the intercooler to my turbo. What ended up happening was the shifting part rubbed against the rubber hose tube (see picture) as stupid of a mistake this was on my end I'm glad it was just that and I was able to fix it for free99! Pictures show before and after




 
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Old 09-23-2016, 09:31 AM
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Good job 👍
 
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Old 09-23-2016, 09:37 AM
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Originally Posted by SIZMTR
One interesting fact I got from talking to the shop owner that bleed my brakes (ex BMW engineer) was that the transmission and the differential on the mini are "sealed for life" and no fluid replacement is necessary for at least 200k unless I want to do it at 100k. Any one heard of such info in regards to that?
The shop owner should brush up on a few facts then. These components are not "sealed for life"...and while there may not be any specific services for them from MINI tell him to go "old school" with respect to these services. Differential every 20K, transmission every 30k. That is, if your like me, and plan on keeping the MINI until it either goes up in a ball of flames, or ready for junk yard.

And stick with MINI recommended fluids for these....it works.
 
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Old 09-23-2016, 09:42 AM
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+1 my friend. What differential oil are you using? I was shopping for royal purple... Next oil change I'm doing differential and transmission. The car is used and has 45k on it and I highly doubt any of those fluids were touched since new

Originally Posted by -=gRay rAvEn=-
The shop owner should brush up on a few facts then. These components are not "sealed for life"...and while there may not be any specific services for them from MINI tell him to go "old school" with respect to these services. Differential every 20K, transmission every 30k. That is, if your like me, and plan on keeping the MINI until it either goes up in a ball of flames, or ready for junk yard.
 
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Old 09-23-2016, 11:12 AM
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SAF-XO - Is what's recommended.
Mini part no. 07-51-2-293-972.

Bewilders one as to why MINI, even after all the CTV issues from 1st Gen, still has no planned maintenance for these components....

" Life Time Fluids " only works for spit and Hollywood magic....
 

Last edited by -=gRaY rAvEn=-; 09-23-2016 at 11:43 AM.
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Old 09-25-2016, 08:20 AM
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had my fluids changed at the dealer a couple months ago

manual trans fluid 83-22-2-339-223
xfer case fluid 07-51-2-293-972 SAF-XO synthetic gear oil
rear diff fluid 82-22-2-295-532 G1 hypoid axle oil

there is a note on w/o ... "changed rear diff drain plug per repair instructions on ista"
 

Last edited by bmwr606; 07-06-2020 at 01:14 PM.
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